Montréal Victoire team honoured at City Hall

The Walter Cup-winning Montréal Victoire hockey players gathered at City Hall on Tuesday to sign the official Montreal guestbook to immortalize their championship.

A registry reserved for dignitaries, world leaders, and championship sports teams who have made an impact on the city. They are the first Canadian team to win the Cup in the league’s three-year history.

The team was joined by Montreal mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Laval mayor Stéphane Boyer and many Victoire fans hoping for a chance to meet the team up close.

“We did it for ourselves, we did it for the city, we did it for the whole country, but we are truly proud to be able to share that with you,” said team captain Marie-Philip Poulin.

After a grueling 10 month season, the Montréal Victoire hockey team won their first Walter Cup last Wednesday and have spent the week celebrating their Professional Women’s Hockey League championship on home ground. 

Wednesday night they dominated the Ottawa Charge, and took home the cup with a 4-0 win. The Charge won Game 3 to force a Game 4, but the Victoire took the cup with a best-of-five series, 3-1.

Fans across the city celebrated what’s become another major moment for women’s hockey in Canada.

“We thank them for what they were able to do on the ice, through injury, through sickness, through every single moment,” said head coach for the Montréal Victoire, Kori Cheverie.

Cheverie expressed how much pride she had in her team, adding, “that our story ended up in triumph.”

Victoire fans joined the team and dignitaries on Tuesday to celebrate, getting their jerseys signed outside the event, and photos taken with players inside City Hall.

“Oh my God, this is pride. This is beyond. This is woman hockey, woman sport. It’s hard to describe it. It’s just inspiration,” said Montrealer Nancy Bergmann. “I’m inspired by what they’ve achieved,” Bergmann added.

Tricia Robinson, fan and team supporter flew from Moncton, New Brunswick to visit the team at City Hall. “It’s so inspiring. Like the little girls can actually dream just like the little boys and there’s nothing like it,” Robinson said.

The Montréal Victoire team will parade the Walter Cup through downtown on Saturday. The team will walk along Sainte-Catherine street between Bleury and Clark streets. Then, players and coaches will take to the stage at the Parterre of the Quartier des Spectacles from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is free and no tickets are required.